Sulky.



PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906. J. S. UOATBS.-

. SULKY.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 1906.

Application filed April 21, 1905. Serial No. 256,710.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. CoATEs, of Goshen, county of Orange, Stateof New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sulkies, ofwhich the following is a specification.

In a former application filed by me in the Patent Oflice on November 8,1904, and serially numbered 231,878, I showed, described, and claimed asulky having a truss or trusses formed and constructed in a novelmanner. I showed, described, and claimed a truss made essentially ofthree members, which I designated as a first and outer member ormembers, as this part might be made in two sections; second, an innermember, and, third, an intermediate member.

These three parts were so constructed and assembled as to produce anideal truss, both from the standpoint of strength as well as oflightness. In that application I showed the intermediate member asoining and becoming a part of the outer member or members at the centerof the truss, and, similarly after traversing the plane of the truss, asjoining and becoming one with the inner member at points approximatelynear and just above the hub-line.

I have found by experiment that this produces, as above stated, a light,strong, and durable structure peculiarly adapted for the purpose forwhich it was devised, and my present invention and application relate toand embody a similar structure, I having in the meantime developed myidea and having now embodied it in a still more improved form.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my improved truss,showing the forward end or edge of the seat attached thereto. Fig. 2 isa similar view, the shafts of the vehicle being here shown in place andattached. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views. Fig. 5 is a side elevation.

In the drawings, A represents the outer member of my improved truss. Inthis case and instance I make this outer member continuous, and I haveshown it extending from and connected with the outer ends of thewheel-hubs, over and above the wheels and across from side to side ofthe vehicle.

The inner member is shown at B. This likewise extends from side to sideof the vehicle and is attached to the hubs of the vehicle attheir innerends.

special and peculiar manner I employ in joining the intermediate members0 to the outer member A. These parts are formed of tubular metal, andthe upper ends of the members C are provided with extensions D, alsotubular, and the tubular portion or opening being of an area incrosssection coextensive with the entire area in cross-section of thepart or member A where the parts are intended to be joined.

By referring to Fig. 3 I show how the member O is introduced upon andsecured to the member A. By assembling the parts in this manner the partC can be drawn up to the position shown in this figure, then by aturning movement of one part upon the other the members can be drawn tothe position shown in Fig. 4, at which point and when so turned anddrawn they will be firmly locked one to the other. By reason of the factthat altho ugh the part A can slip through the tubular extension D ofpart C when in the position shown in Fig. 3, the parts when drawn to theposition shown in Fig. 4 will form an extremely tight joint, inasmuch asthe relation of the curve of the part A has changed in relation to thecurve in the tubular extension D of the member C, and while, as stated,the parts when in the relative position shown in Fig. 3 will slip one onthe other they will, when in the position shown in Fig. 4, be securelybound and locked. The intermediate members C so attached to the outermember A are joined to the inner member B at points I) just above thehub-line. The joinder may be efiected by brazing or by other suitablemeans or processes.

The seat is shown at S and is supported at its forward edge upon thelower member B of the truss and at its rear edge is supported upon theshafts L. The shafts extend rearwardlyand immediately beneath the pointswhere the members 0 are joined to the members A of the truss and aresupported upon the lower member B through intermediate bolsters R, orthey may be directly supported upon the member B. Pins P extenddownwardly through the members A, C, and B,the shafts L and bolsters Rlocking them all together at these points. Braces E extend between theshafts L and the inner members B and the usual pins, and thimbles T maybe employed to strengthen and buttress the members of the truss, asshown, and also to bolster the seat upon the rear part of the shafts.

The shafts are shown of one piece, continuing around and at the back ofthe vehicle between the members of the truss, as ex lained, andsupporting the rear edge of t e seat. The hubs are shown at H and thewheels at W. I employ braces V also extending between the hubs H and theshafts L, connecting them to the shafts at point 1.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A sulky having a truss composed of an outer member, extending fromside to side of the vehicle, over the wheels and connected with theouter ends of the wheel-hubs, a continuous inner member extendingbetween the inner ends of the wheel-hubs, and intermediate membersformed as shown, and secured to the outer member at points near itsshoulders, and to the inner member at points above the wheel-hubs.

2. In a sulky, a truss-axle formed of an outer member, extending fromside to side of the vehicle, over the wheels and connected with theouter ends of the wheel-hubs, an inner continuous member extendingbetween the wheelhubs, and two intermediate members, one arranged oneach side of the vehicle and secured respectively to the outer memberapproximately near its shoulders and to the inner member at points justabove the hubine.

3. A truss-axle for sulkies and like vehicles formed of inner and outercontinuous members and two intermediate members having hollow portionsat their upper ends which fit over corresponding portions of equal areain cross-section of the outer member, and being locked thereto by aturning movement, and secured at their lower ends, substantially asshown and described.

4. In a sulky, or like vehicle, a truss having a continuous outermember, intermediate members having hollow portions encircling the outermember and locked thereto by a turning movement, and secured to theinner member.

5. In a sulky or like vehicle, the combination of a truss having acontinuous outer member extending from the outer ends of the hubs andover the wheels as shown, a con tinuous inner member extendingbetweenthe inner ends of the hubs, two intermediate members locked tothe outer member at points approximately near the shoulders of the sameand attached to the inner member at points just above the hub-line, withthe shafts resting on the inner member and secured to the intermediateand outer member by bolts, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a vehicle, a truss member extending from side to side andconnecting the wheels thereof, the parts of the truss being lockedtogether by intermediate elements secured by a turning movement to onepart and by brazing to the other part.

JOSEPH S. COATES.

Witnesses:

HARRY H. SMITH, GEORGE S. BENSLEY.

